Vietnam War Hero Strikes Back After Home Invasion

Transitioning to a new community can be a guessing game, because one can never be completely sure about the individuals one may encounter. There are instances when you form fantastic friendships with those living just on the other side of your wall; in contrast, there could also be times when your next-door neighbors make your daily life extraordinarily challenging.

Army veteran Robert and his spouse Angie Hawthorne were looking forward to a calm and peaceful retirement in their newly chosen quiet little town, but trouble turned out to be just around the corner. Robert never anticipated having to use his military skills again—and he definitely couldn’t have imagined the circumstances under which he would have to use them. The future, it appeared, still had a few surprises in store for the Hawthornes, even after Robert thought he’d seen it all in his military days.

Meet Robert Hawthorne

Life for Robert Hawthorne, a 69-year-old recent retiree, had been far from the norm. Originating from Portland, Oregon, Hawthorne made a significant decision when he was just in his early twenties. This decision ended up altering the path of his life completely.

Seemingly in a flash, Robert found himself married for two decades and nearing his 70th birthday. For this big birthday, his only wish was to move to a new community with his wife, Angie, where they could enjoy a peaceful and quiet retirement life, a stark contrast to the hectic and demanding world he used to be part of. Little did he know that this simple desire would prove to be slightly more challenging than expected.

Strong Aspirations

Much like his peers in Portland, Robert was ambitious and driven from an early age. By the time he reached high school, it was clear to him that he didn’t want to take the conventional career route and that formal education wasn’t his cup of tea.

Robert made a choice that differed from the norm—he decided to join the United States military. This wasn’t a choice he made overnight, nor was it one he made alone. His older brother, Michael, had also decided to wear the uniform four years earlier and their family, the Hawthornes, held that decision in high esteem. Little did Robert know, this choice was about to transform his life in ways he couldn’t anticipate.

A Life of Service

Thanks to his mom and dad’s teachings, Robert had a very strong and focused character right from a young age. His resolve and discipline were the driving forces that led him to successfully navigate through the challenging exercises in army training. By showing his grit and skill, he managed to rise within the military ranks and secured himself a prestigious position. In his early twenties, serving in the Vietnam War became an important part of his military career.

Robert spent over forty years of his life in service – an extended period full of bravery, sacrifice, and a deep devotion to his nation. Concurrently, his personal life was undergoing transformations separate from his career.

Falling in Love

On his life’s journey, Robert crossed paths with a lady named Angie, and it wasn’t long before he found himself deeply in love with her. Love and relationships can be tough even under usual circumstances, and Robert’s job made it even tougher. Yet, he knew in his heart that he was ready to give it his all for Angie’s sake. They certainly faced hurdles, and his line of work posed additional challenges, but Robert was unwavering. He was prepared to go above and beyond for the love he found in the form of Angie.

From the very first time their paths crossed, Robert and his soon-to-be wife felt they were made for each other. Robert didn’t hesitate for a moment before popping the question. Before they knew it, the two of them were walking down the aisle, entering married life together.